The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal William Miller (MCSN: 2396089), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 14 March 1969, while participating in an assault on Landing Zone SIERRA, Lance Corporal Miller alertly observed that one of his fellow Marines was injured. As he fearlessly moved across the fire-swept terrain to the assistance of his wounded comrade, an enemy hand grenade exploded, seriously wounding him. Resolutely continuing towards his objective, Lance Corporal Miller was attacked by a North Vietnamese Army soldier armed with an automatic rifle. With complete disregard for his own painful wounds, he instantly counterattacked the enemy, and in hand-to-hand combat that ensued, took the hostile soldier’s rifle and killed him. After assaulting and silencing the fire from an enemy bunker, he then moved towards the next emplacement, and, when again seriously wounded by an enemy had grenade, was medically evacuated. His daring initiative and heroic actions inspired all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Miller upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.